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From Today's NEMS Daily Journal
Cyclist's death prompts reminders about road awareness
By Danza Johnson
HOUSTON - The name of the woman killed while riding her bicycle on the Natchez Trace Parkway on Wednesday isn't being released.
Chief Park Ranger Allen Etheridge said Thursday that the female cyclist is from the Netherlands and efforts were being made to contact a family member.
She died after being hit by an SUV while riding her bike about 3 p.m. on the Trace in Chickasaw County near the Witch Dance pullover. Chickasaw Coroner Andy Harmon said she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Etheridge said the woman driving the SUV stopped when she hit the cyclist and remained on the scene. Both were traveling southbound when the accident happened and the woman driving the SUV has not been charged with a crime.
With spring rushing in, Etheridge said cyclists are pedaling on the Trace more frequently. The Trace is a national park, so it's considered a recreational road and a popular cycling area.
More than a million vehicles traveled the Trace last year, making it the seventh most popular national park in the country. It stretches from Natchez to Nashville.
Etheridge said that as frequently as motorists and cyclists share the Trace, both should be aware of one another.
"Motorists should look out for bikes and share the road," he said. "But the cyclists share the responsibility as well. They have to protect themselves and ride defensively. Everyone can use the Trace, we just have to be aware of one another."
Wednesday's accident raised awareness among other cyclists using the Trace. John Mitchell and his friend, Charles Palmer, ride bikes on the Trace about four times a week. Both men said they plan to ride with more caution from now on.
"It's so scenic out here that it's easy to just lose yourself and your focus while riding," said Mitchell. "But it can be very dangerous to ride out here. Most people are very kind to cyclists but some don't want to share the roads. I definitely thought more about safety today than I did when I rode Monday."
Palmer said he is already a pretty defensive rider and plans to continue to be.
The Trace is more narrow than normal highways, according to Etheridge. A normal highway road width is 24 feet, but the road width on the Trace is 22 feet, providing less room for error by a cyclist or motorist.
When riding a bike on the Trace, Etheridge said there are rules people should follow to increase safety.
"Make sure you wear reflective clothing," he said. "Ride during the daylight hours and let someone know where you're going. But the best advice I can give you is to ride and drive defensively."
Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.
Was wondering if you plan on tagging runners and walkers as well who are also on the road??? The safety of all those does absolutely have to be considered. I never singled out the walkers, runners, or cyclists above those in motorized vehicles, the simple fact is those not in or on a motorized vehicle are the most vulnerable, and as defensive as we want to be, if it is not our fault when there is an accident it usually doesn't matter.
Great point on the food health relationship thing. You really must be a doctor. I thought that riding a bike was the only exercise that kept you healthy. I mean swimming, running, weight training, aerobics, cross training, pilates, yoga, walking, team sports, none of that could possibly work.
Stop targeting a small percentage of the population who enjoys the scenic route of exercise. We understand we are the most at risk out there, we just are asking for people to be aware when they drive that we are out there. So, NEMSDOC, spare us.
I agree though with the one stating that it is so hard to really see some of them in areas on the Trace.
Most roadways even have a minimum speed limit for cars due to running up behind a slow vehicle and it being a potential wreck. While I know the Trace is designated a scenic route, we all know it is one of the routes many use going into Tupelo for work, shopping, etc so you are going the speed limit and get in traffic, shaded area, and you run up behind a very slow cyclist it is just an accident waiting to happen.
As far as waiting behind a cyclist, I understand the frustration of having to wait a whole 10-30 seconds so a window to safely pass opens up, but have some patience. These people have familes and children or are children whose family is expecting them home.